City of Mesa Cemetary, Mesa, AZ
May 29, 2000
Captain Granville Henderson Oury Camp 1708
Sons of Confederate Veterans
The Meaning of Confederate Memorial Day
We are gathered here today to commemorate Confederate Memorial Day, a day we have set aside to remember the sacrifices made for the cause of Southern Independence by the men who "Wore the Gray".
There are those who question why we set aside a day to honor the soldiers of the Confederacy, when the war ended 134 years ago, and the Confederacy LOST.
As the descendents of these Cofederate Soldiers, we feel that it is important to recognize and take pride in the efforts and the scrifices made by our ancestors. It is important that we remember and recognize our history and our heritage ... personnally, locally, and nationally.
Despite the general belief of most of the American people, the Confederate Soldier fought for a noble and just cause, and did not consider himself part of an attempt to protect the right of a small percentage of slaveholders to continue to own human chattle.
The causes for which the Confederate Soldier fought were many, and the vast majority of the soldiers did not desire to preserve slavery ... an institution that less than five percent of them had any interest in. 95 percent of the Confederate Soldiers did not own slaves or believe in slavery. Robert E. Lee himself is just one who falls into this category.
Diaries and letters of the Confederate Soldiers show that their desire was to defend theit homes and families from an aggressive government and an invading army. Many were filled with a sense of duty to their country, and a desire for independence for the South whose way of life had been continuously under attack by Northern Politics.
In fact, the Confederate Soldiers say themselves as fighting for the very same cause for which the American Colonies were fighting from 1775 to 1783. The cause being the right to govern themselves without interference from those outside their country. The Confederate Soldier was not fighting for slavery, but for freedom. Today the fight for States Rights continues. As various states are trying to fight the Federal mandates which are contrary to the needs of the state.
We also recognize the Confederate Soldier for the great suffering and deprivation that they endured. Being called upon to march and fight on rations barely sufficient to sustain life and forced to endure the bitter cold winters without blankets, overcoats or even shoes. Living without shelter in all forms of weather, an in virtually every battle faced by overwhelming larger and better equipped foe. And without complaint for his condition, he usually prevailed in battle.
Finally we honor the soldiers of the Confederacy because of the many contributions they made both in the South and to the Nation after the war was over. They came home in bitter defeat to find their homes devastated, their families impoverished and food and supplies to rebuild scarce. But rather than give up, they worked to rebuild the South, and by the end of the 1800s had restored the region to its place as an active partner in the growth and development of this great Nation.
Meanwhile, others went to the western frontier, hoping to develop it and making it into a new participant in this Nation. Coming to a land and climate that was vastly different from that they were used to, they were able to successfully bring water to the desert, farmed and raised cattle, and mined the land. All the while constantly under attack from the native peoples. The State of Arizona owes a great debt to these many Confederate Veterans who made significant contributions to the early settlement and development of this state. Through these many various enterprises they successfully turned a raw and rugged land into a civilized State.
For all of these reasons, we honor and greatly admire the soldiers who "Wore The Gray", and nothing can ever stain the glory for which they have won through their gallant actions. Though they failed, they are honored for their sacrifices and perseverance against overwhelming odds.